Lexington, VA · Private University
Is Virginia Military Institute Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$77,369
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$20,484
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$51,186
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$204,744
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.51x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
81.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$22,996
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,849
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Virginia Military Institute graduates earn $32,369 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Virginia Military Institute ranked by graduate earnings
28 graduates
60 graduates
37 graduates
54 graduates
36 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Virginia Military Institute
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical EngineeringBest ROI | $73,138 | 1.4x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $72,503 | 1.4x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,338 | 1.4x |
| Economics | $70,038 | 1.4x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $64,800 | 1.3x |
| History | $64,539 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $63,600 | 1.2x |
| Psychology, General | $60,540 | 1.2x |
| Computer Science(1yr data) | $58,225 | 1.1x |
| PhysicsLowest(1yr data) | $46,641 | 0.9x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Military Institute | 1.51x | $77,369 | Good ROI |
| Rutgers University-Camden | 2.08x | $74,479 | Strong ROI |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | 1.92x | $60,110 | Good ROI |
| University of Mary Washington | 1.93x | $60,613 | Good ROI |
| Christopher Newport University | 1.95x | $60,509 | Good ROI |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | 2.50x | $63,435 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
Virginia Military Institute offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $77,369 10 years after starting, $32,369 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.8 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.